American Sterling Silver Dinner Service 224 pieces

- Item No.

A stunning mahogany cabinet houses this monumental American silver table and flatware service

Key Features

This complete sterling silver service is monumental in size and beauty

This large set is comprised of Reed & Barton flatware and Redlich & Co. hollowware

This service is distinguished by the Rococo artistry and Francis I motif

A magnificent mahogany chest houses the entire service

Fitted to hold each and every piece, the chest is complete with two hidden folding trays

All pieces are marked

Item Details

Width:
Case: 61 3/4 Inches

Height:
Case: 62 3/4 Inches

Depth:
Case: 25 1/2 Inches

Period:
20th Century

Origin:
America

This monumental American sterling silver dinner service epitomizes the stately glamour of turn-of-the century dining. A total of 224 pieces comprise this extraordinary service for 12, including a luxurious 69-piece hollowware service by Redlich and Co. and a magnificent 155-piece flatware service by the famed Reed & Barton in the beloved Francis I pattern. The Redlich hollowware is stunning to behold. Each piece is exquisitely hand-chased with a foliage and lattice applied border, it's stunning Victorian design incorporating both Rococo and neoclassical elements. From the large, two handled serving tray and rose bowl with metal frog insert to the complete tea and coffee service and demitasse cups with Lenox porcelain liners, each piece of the magnificent service is a work of art.

The Reed & Barton flatware is perfectly at home in this incredible service. The Francis I pattern is one of the most recognized and coveted patterns in the world. Designed by master silver artist Ernest Mayer, it was made to rival the opulent Renaissance-Baroque metalwork of Benvenuto Cellini, court artist and sculptor in the court of King Francis I of France. In honor of Francis' ascension to the French throne in 1515, Meyer took on the ambitious task of creating 15 ornate designs that would decorate each Francis I piece. Introduced in 1906, this ornate pattern burst with voluminous scrollwork, leaves, blossoms, and fruit, combined in a different pattern on each piece.

This extraordinary service is housed in its fitted mahogany chest. Crafted in the elegant Georgian style, this chest houses the service in graduated drawers behind double doors. Preparing the pieces for serving is made seamless by two folding racks hidden within compartments on either side of the drawers.

Makers of sterling flatware, holloware and souvenir spoons, Redlich & Co. was originally founded in 1890 in New York City by silver designer Adolph Ludwig and A. Alec Redlich, a diamond merchant. The company operated under the name of Ludwig, Redlich and Co. That partnership would last for only five years and in late 1895, Ludwig sold his interest in the company. Redlich and Company operated as such for more than 45 years and was counted among the important American silversmiths of the day including Gorham, Reed & Barton and Dominick & Haff. Together, these elite companies formed an alliance known as the Sterling Silversmiths Guild of America to promote the use of silver wares. Redlich and Company was acquired by the Elgin Silversmith Co. in 1945, though their fine reputation prompted the new owners to continue to use the Redlich trademark on many of their pieces.

The commission for a silver service presented silver companies with the perfect opportunity to allow their creativity and ingenuity to flourish. The companies' most talented artisans would have been employed to design and execute these important works. A magnificent creation such as this was a triumph for Redlich and Co. The opportunity to acquire such a superior example is indeed a rarity.